ENHYPEN’s Jake has landed himself in the eye of a major storm as the situation continues to get murkier.On August 27, a concerned fan asked ENHYPEN’s Jake if the the ongoing reports about his “girl hunting” controversy in Itaewon are true or not.To which, Jake replied directly to this fan,"It's not true. I wish you would believe me."Engeneen-@enhypenjakezI'm sure all engenes heard about the rumour of Jake asking for cigarette to girls in Itaewon.On Weverse a fan asked Jake about it and Jake replied "It's not true I wish you'd believe me" Ppl have been accusing him for smthg he never did Stop putting Enhypen down@ENHYPEN_members13I'm sure all engenes heard about the rumour of Jake asking for cigarette to girls in Itaewon.On Weverse a fan asked Jake about it and Jake replied "It's not true I wish you'd believe me" Ppl have been accusing him for smthg he never did Stop putting Enhypen down@ENHYPEN_members https://t.co/WF5IUJclHiFor the unversed, “girls hunting” in the aforementioned context means picking up girls as potential dates, to put it in a polite manner.Fans are happy that ENHYPEN’s Jake has taken it upon himself to clear his name and respond to the allegations against him, especially when his agency BELIFT Lab’s response has not been a satisfactory one.Not just that, ENHYPEN’s Jake even released a lengthy letter dedicated to ENGENEs stating that he loves and misses them and is grateful to them for their constant support.ENHYPEN WEVERSE@enhypenweverse[ #제이크’s Post ] 220826#JAKE: […] ENGENEs are so precious [to me] and I was so thankful that I want to make eye contact with and hug each and every one of you.(Full translation in pic)@ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN #ENHYPEN #엔하이픈188637548[ #제이크’s Post ] 220826#JAKE: […] ENGENEs are so precious [to me] and I was so thankful that I want to make eye contact with and hug each and every one of you.(Full translation in pic)@ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN #ENHYPEN #엔하이픈 https://t.co/AjSxyWeRgIً@sjypoutsjake alr cleared his name by his own, it must be hard for him to do that :( belift should've done this, they should protect their artists. but this company is always nowhere to be found. we love you so much jake & we always trust you :( you're so strong 🫂107664199jake alr cleared his name by his own, it must be hard for him to do that :( belift should've done this, they should protect their artists. but this company is always nowhere to be found. we love you so much jake & we always trust you :( you're so strong 🫂ENHYPEN’s Jake backed by fans in Itaewon “girls hunting” controversyً@sjypoutsengenes, let's shower jake love on wev bcs i know he's there. let's assure him that we are always here by his side & we trust him so much.21018engenes, let's shower jake love on wev bcs i know he's there. let's assure him that we are always here by his side & we trust him so much.ENHYPEN’s fans continue to band together and support member Jake amidst the ensuing controversy against him.On August 22, an anonymous netizen created a post on an online community forum titled "ENHYPEN's Jake went around asking a woman for a cigarette lighter in Itaewon."The series of photos allegedly showed “ENHYPEN’s Jake” and an acquaintance interacting with several women in Itaewon, a popular area in Seoul, asking for cigarette lighters.The man, who the anonymous netizen claims to identify as “ENHYPEN’s Jake” was seen wearing a plaid green shirt, black athleisure trousers, a black cap and a mask.notpannchoa/notpannkpop/notnetizenbuzz@notpannchoa2[ notnetizenbuzz ] Rumors brew of ENHYPEN's Jake attempting to pick up girls around Itaewon11828[ notnetizenbuzz ] Rumors brew of ENHYPEN's Jake attempting to pick up girls around Itaewon https://t.co/WRiHeP3kn4The netizen alleged that Jake had a cigarette on his lips as he was seen asking a mysterious woman for a lighter.The post soon went viral on online forums with netizens alleging that ENHYPEN’s Jake was basically flirting with women on the streets of Itaewon and asking for a lighter was a mere excuse to get close to the women.Ever since the controversy went viral, ENHYPEN’s Jake continues to plead his innocence as ENGENEs band together to protect him from trolling and hateful messages.“Jake, we love you”, fans continue to reiterate their love and belief in the member.brie || rest 🧚🏼‍♀️@enbtspinklhsvFILO ENGENES WE WON AGAIN!“Mahal kita” — #JAKE on weverse#ENHYPEN_JAKE #ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN1FILO ENGENES WE WON AGAIN!“Mahal kita❤️” — #JAKE on weverse#ENHYPEN_JAKE #ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN https://t.co/YdIt990KQCdwayne• DCGC⁴🐾@forjynsimWho ever posted this on enhypen's weverse, I hate you. The guts to ask my precious Jake abt this??To Jake, We trust you, We love youuuuu2Who ever posted this on enhypen's weverse, I hate you. The guts to ask my precious Jake abt this??To Jake, We trust you, We love youuuuu https://t.co/vM0TuKIA8rFans aren’t exactly happy with BELIFT LAB’s response and requested them to do better.kam@cherriesorchae@sjypouts and you know what's funny? in belifts new statement they didn't even clear his name or address the situation at all1@sjypouts and you know what's funny? in belifts new statement they didn't even clear his name or address the situation at allً@sjypoutsengenes, let's shower jake love on wev bcs i know he's there. let's assure him that we are always here by his side & we trust him so much.21018engenes, let's shower jake love on wev bcs i know he's there. let's assure him that we are always here by his side & we trust him so much.However, fans are optimistic that Jake will come out of this situation and emerge as a stronger and wiser person.lay IS SEEING ENHA ✿✿@aIwaysunoono goodnight posts from jungwon, no updates from sunoo, jake having to come onto weverse to express his gratitude for engenes and having to deny fake allegations against him. the rest of the members getting hated on the daily, enhypen i really really hope you are okay2no goodnight posts from jungwon, no updates from sunoo, jake having to come onto weverse to express his gratitude for engenes and having to deny fake allegations against him. the rest of the members getting hated on the daily, enhypen i really really hope you are okaynckaella@nckaella1999We trust you and we'll always stay with you through the ups and downs. Mahal din kita ps. when will you notice me in weverse? 🥹#WeTrustJake #ENHYPEN_JAKE #ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPENWe trust you and we'll always stay with you through the ups and downs. Mahal din kita 💗 ps. when will you notice me in weverse? 🥹#WeTrustJake #ENHYPEN_JAKE #ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN https://t.co/3Zyk1yohH1ENHYPEN’s agency BELIFT LAB finally responds to the allegations against Jakeheejake context@heejakecontextBE:LIFT LAB's Statement#ENHYPEN154BE:LIFT LAB's Statement#ENHYPEN https://t.co/PHAk8KURjxThe agency released a lengthy and detailed statement regarding the recent events stating that they are taking stern measures and continuing with legal proceedings against anonymous netizens and trolls who continue to defame ENHYPEN members through groundless posts, insults and invading members’ privacy.They assured fans that they are working 24/7 throughout the year, collecting evidence to protect the members’ image and privacy.They also revealed that they are in touch with the police and are continuously monitoring the situation.______________@kimsuno97554643@sjypouts jake you deserve better putanginamo belift @sjypouts jake you deserve better 😭 putanginamo belift 💢They assured that the perpetrators will be punished in the harshest manner in the confines of the law and they will not show any leniency to those who try to tarnish the members’ reputation.They further requested fans to submit any malicious posts and comments to the official BELIFT LAB email hotline for legal affairs (protect@belift.kr).While fans were happy that the BELIFT LAB responded, many felt that the official statement came a little too late and still did not explicitly defend ENHYPEN’s Jake and his reputation continues to remain tarnished.ENGENEs feel the agency should buckle up and take swift action considering this isn’t the first time the idol’s personal space and reputation has been encroached upon.During KCON 2022’s hi-touch event, two women misbehaved with ENHYPEN’s Jake, putting him in a difficult spot.The older woman in question tried to set up the singer with her daughter, asking him to marry her. The idol was visibly nervous and uncomfortable and fans were angry, demanding immediate action against the two women.faria@sanjida8040@sunookitchenrag Exactly that's what I have been thinking..!!? Who knows how is Jake feeling2@sunookitchenrag Exactly that's what I have been thinking..!!? Who knows how is Jake feelingNiA@ENproudnoona@sjypouts WE TRUST YOU JAKE SO PROUD OF YOUI LOVE YOU#AlwaysWithJAKE #JAKE #ENHYPEN_JAKE #제이크 #엔하이픈_제이크 @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN@sjypouts WE TRUST YOU JAKE SO PROUD OF YOUI LOVE YOU#AlwaysWithJAKE #JAKE #ENHYPEN_JAKE #제이크 #엔하이픈_제이크 @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPENFans believe BELIFT LAB must release a statement explicitly clarifying that the man in the viral post is not Jake and is not involved in the “girls hunting” controversy in any way.Sais@cece_bague@sjypouts @BELIFTLAB where are you guys to protect your own artists. Omo just make a move to help him clean his name and image@sjypouts @BELIFTLAB where are you guys to protect your own artists. Omo just make a move to help him clean his name and imagechi@chiicchuu@sjypouts Im so sad rn.@sjypouts Im so sad rn.In other news, ENHYPEN’s third mini-album MANIFESTO: DAY 1 ranked at number 45 on Billboard 200 in its third week of release. They also ranked 28th on the Billboard Hot 100 in their 11th week.